Generator remover apparatus



Nov. 24, 1964 Filed March 21, 1962 S. S. CORSO GENERATOR REMOVER APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Jame/5 (0/190 j/ZL A/JW ATTORNEYS Nov. 24, 1964 s. s. CORSO 3,

GENERATOR REMOVER APPARATUS Filed March 21, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VE N 'ITOR fam/e/ fa/ aa W ZW ATTORNEYS tion of the platform'means United States Patent GENERATGR RED/ OVER APhARATUS Samuel S. Corso, 77-22 14th Ave, Brooklyn, FLY. Filed Mar. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 181,255 9 Claims. (Cl. 214-1) The present invention relates to a generator removal apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for removing any type of device or a component part of machinery from an enclosed area in which it is desired to remove the specific part for work thereon at another location.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a generator removal apparatus that may be used in garages and the like, and easily moved from one position to another so that the apparatus may be used to reach into an enclosed compartment to remove a generator or similar apparatus from an engine, and thereafter roll the apparatus and the generator held thereby to a workbench or other place where the devices may be repaired or serviced.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a generator remover apparatus that has selectively connected parts so that in one instance boom or crane means may be used to remove a generator from an enclosed housing or vehicle and at another time a raisable platform may be used to remove a different type of generator from the vehicle, andthereafter the apparatus may be rolled to another location for placing the generator on a workbench or the like for servicing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a generator remover apparatus that may be inexpensively manufactured and which may be made of individual parts that are easily obtained and are of standard stock.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a generator apparatus having a boom or crane associated therewith that may reach into an enclosed compartment such as the compartment of a bus or other vehicle for removing a generator therefrom to eliminate the need for manual labor, in actually lifting a heavy generator or other device.

lt 'is still another object of the present invention to provide a generator remover apparatus that has an elongated boom associated therewith which boom may be pivotally raised and lowered for positioning a boom adjacent to a generator disposed within an enclosed compartmerit for attachin the boom th reto to remove the generator from its attendant mac ery, and which boom may thereafter be actuated so as to raise the generator clear of the machinery and thereafter moved outside of the enclosure without contacting or interfering with any other part of the machinery. I

It is another object of the present invention to provide a generator remover apparatus having boom means associated therewith each of which means may be used to remove diiferent types of generators or other component parts of machinery from an enclosed housing and in which the boom means may be swung clear of the raisable platform means so that it will not interfere'with the utilizafor removing the generator out from an enclosed area. i

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description'when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and in which:

i PEG. 1 is a side elevational view of the generator apparatus embodying the present invention shown extend-' ing into an enclosed compartment for removal of a generator therein.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the generator shown in PEG. 1 with parts shown in phantom for purposes of clarity. a

ICC

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 of the generator remover apparatus of the present invention showing the apparatus extending into an enclosed compartment for removal of a generator by the raisable platform means associated therewith and with the boom or crane means swung back out of the way.

PEG. 4 is aplan view of the generator remover apparatus of the present invention with portions of the boom means removed for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detailed view of a portion of the raisable platform means associated with the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the means for elevating and lowering the platform.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 19 generally designates a generator remover apparatus comprising a lower box frame or carriage 11 that is rectangular shaped and formed by four angle irons 1.2 joined or secured together at the opposite ends thereof.

Extending obliquely outwardly and downwardly from each corner at 1S from the frame 11," are angle iron leg members 16 at the front end of the frames Similar legs 17 extend obliquely outwardly from the rear corners of the frame ll, except that the legs 17 are substantially longer than the legs 1o and extend a substantial distance above the frame ll, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. The legs in and 17 are disposed at an angle with respect to the frame 11 and are disposed outwardly thereof so that the apparatus has a lower center of gravity and will not be inclined to tipover. The lower ends of the legs is? and 17 are provided with well known roller means 18 which consist of a frame, an axle and a individual roller so that, in effect there are two pairs of rollers, one pairadjacent the front legs and one pair adjacent the rear legs. Preferably the structure is reinforced by angle irons li disposed below the angle irons E2 and extending along each side of the apparatus with the opposite ends secured to the sides of legs 16 and 1'7 as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is, of course, realized that all of the angle irons forming the legs and the frame and the struts preferably permanently secured to one another by welding though brazing may be used or other well known means such as bolts and the like. The upper ends of leg 17 generally indicated as 2:; converge toward one another and extend inwardly of the frame 11.

A horizontal platform 21 substantially U-shaped in cross section (see FIG. 5) and extending longitudinally of the frame H is secured to the upper ends 20 of the rear legs 17 preferably by welding. The rear portion of the platform 21 is bevelled or tapered inwardly to provide a narrow or reduced section as can be readily seen from FIG. 4. The platform 21 extends a substantial distance beyond the rear of thelower end of legs 17 and the rear or back end of the frame 11, while the forward end portion of 21 as best seen inFlG. 1, terminates approximately at the midpoint of the angle iron 12.

-Disposed adjacent the forward end portion of the platwardly of members 24 and between the two members 24.

Short vertical guide struts 23 are secured to each corner of 25 adjacent a rnember' i l to prevent it from wobbling and help guide it, with struts frfi adapted to slidably engage members 24. V V 1 In this manner the member 25 is prevented from com- 2) ing out of the guide members unless lifted above them to remove it. The spacing of the periphery or the perimeter of the member 2-5 and struts 23 with respect to the angle irons 24 is slightly exaggerated in the drawings, but it is readily understood that the guide members permit the raisable platform 25 to ride upwardly and downwardly therebetween when actuated.

The platform 25 is elevated and lowered along the trackway 24 by rotating a handle Wheel 27 disposed beneath the platform 25 centrally of the guide members 24. A screw threaded member 28 adapted to threadably engage into an internally threaded socket 29 below the threaded member 28, is actuated to raise and lower the platform 25. Wheel 27 is fixed to member 28. The upper end of the screw member 28 is journalled in a blind bearing 39 secured to the underside of member 25. Thus when the handle 27 is rotated in one direction, screw member 28 will be threaded out of member 29 and the upper end in the blind bearing 39 will move the platform 25 upwardly. When the handle 27 is operated in the opposite direction, the screw 28 will be threaded home or downwardly into member 29 and thereby permit the platform 25 to be lowered.

The projecting portion 2e of the platform 25 has a transverse member 32 welded to one side thereof having forwardly extending spaced horizontal angle irons 33 secured thereto as best shown in PEG. 4. The angle irons 33 are offset to one side of the central longitudinal axis extendiru through frame 11. The offset of the angle irons 33 permits the apparatus to be moved alongside the vehicle so that the angle irons 33 may extend into an enclosed compartment for removal of a generator disposed therein, that cannot be removed by the boom or crane means hereinafter described. It will be noted that the angle irons 33 extend beyond the front end of the frame 11 and forwardly of the front legs 16, while the angle irons 33 are disposed within the perimeter formed by the frame 11 so that there is no tendency for the apparatus to tip over.

The rear portion 22 of the platform 21 has a vertically disposed leg 35 welded thereto with a roller frame and roller 36, similar to rollers 18, secured to the lower end thereof. An upwardly inclined strut member 37 is also attached to the roller means 36 at its lower rear end, while the front end of 37 is welded to the rear angle iron 12 of frame 12. The roller wheel 36 and the members 35 and 37 are disposed in alignment with approximately the midportion of the rear transverse angle iron 12 to provide stability to the apparatus.

In operation, the apparatus selectively using the above described generator remover apparatus including the angle irons 33 and the vertically adjustable platform 25, the apparatus it) is first brought alongside the engine compartment of a vehicle generally designated 48, as shown in dot-dash lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. The platform 25 is raised or lowered by the hand wheel 2'7 to a predetermined position above the ground, and in alignment with the generator shown in dot-dash lines and indicated as 41 in FIG. 3, before the frame or carriage portion 11 is rolled underneath the vehicle 40.

When the platform is at the desired height, the apparatus is then moved or rolled inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3, and the generator 41 is positioned so as to be supported by the angle irons 33. Thereafter the apparatus is rolled away from the vehicle and the generator is taken to a workbench or the like with the platform 25 being elevated or lowered the desired distance so that the generator can be easily removed from the angle irons 33, and disposed on a support member or bench for service thereof.

The rear vertical guide members 24 have two upright support members 42 welded to the rear thereof. The vertical support members 42 extend upwardly above the top of the guide members 24 and converge inwardly as indicated at 43. The upper portions are spaced apart 4 from one another to receive an elongated substantially fiat boom or crane member 44. A hole 45 is providedrin the upper portions of 42, to receive a bolt 46 therethrough. The crane member 44 is also provided with a hole 31 toward the rear thereof so that the bolt 46 may be threaded therethrough so the crane is pivotally connected with respect to the upright members or arms 43. The rear of the pivoted crane 44 has a horizontal strap member 47 secured or bolted to each side thereof, as best seen in FIG. 1.

The rear end of each stamp member 47 is provided with a horizontal pin 48 journalled therein and having its inner end fixedly connected to an internally threaded bushing 49 disposed or sandwiched between the straps 47. Thus the straps 47 are rigidly connected at their front ends to the rear of the crane 44 while the rear of the straps 47 are swingable about or pivotally connected to the bushing 49. a

The bushing 49 in turn is disposed to engage the thread 54) on the upper end of a vertical reach rod 51. An actuating hand wheel 52 is fixed to the lower end of the rod,

and the extreme lower end of the rod 51 is journalled in a blind bearing 53 so that the rod 51 may turn or rotate with respect to the bearing 53 to thereby thread the bushing upwardly or downwardly along the threads 50, to permit the straps 47 to be pivoted about its pins 43 and the bushing in turn to elevate or lower the front end 55 of the boom or crane member 44.

The blind bearing 53 has fixed horizontal pins 54- extending from either side thereof jou'rnalled in two spaced ears 56 disposed on top of platform 21.

Thefront end 55 of the crane member 44 is provided with a cut-out or slot 57 therein to receive an eye bolt 58 which may be slipped over the front end of 55 and secured in the notch 57. The eye bolt 58 in turn is connected to a U-shaped member 59 as best seen in FIG. 2, having bolt holes through the lower end of the legs 60 thereof to receive the bolts 61 of the generator therethrough.

In operation the front end 55 of the crane member 44 is raised or lowered to a predetermined height by actuating the hand wheel 52. Thereafter the apparatus is moved alongside of a vehicle 4ft after the door '63 has been swung open to remove the generator therefrom. It is. merely necessary to remove two bolts of the generator. after any other part of the generator is first detached from the engine to which it is connected, and the generator bolts 61 are threaded through the bolt holes of. legs 60 and the generator is lifted from the support on which it was resting. The apparatus is then rolled away, from the vehicle and taken to a workbench where the crane member may be pivotally swung to the desired height to place'the generator on the workbench.

When it is desired to use the generator lifting platform 25 and the members 33, should the crane member 44:

interfere with the operation of the removal of the generator by the platform 25, it is merely necessary toremove the bolt 46 from between the members 42 as shown in FIG. 3, and thereafter the crane 44 may be swung upwardly out from beneath members 42 and turned around or rotated behind the members 42, since the bushing 49 threadably engages the rod 51 and the crane member 44 can be swung or pivoted downwardly into the position shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter the generator remover ap-' and the like, having selectively connected platform means and selectively connected crane means that may be inter-' changeably used, depending upon the particular operation to be performed and which is adaptable to remove any type of generator or the like, whether the generator be disposed transversely of the vehicle or whether the generator be disposed longitudinally of the vehicle, and in which the platform may be raised or lowered to clear other portions of the machinery, and in which the crane may be pivotally raised or lowered in like manner, and in which the generator may be removed from one height, and rolled over to a workbench or the like and disposed therein at a different height or level.

Inasmuch as various changes may be made in the form, location and relative arrangement of the several parts without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited except by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for removing a generator and the like from an enclosed space comprising a box like frame, leg members extending below said frame, roller means on the lower ends of said leg member, at least two leg members extending a substantial distance above said frame, a substantially horizontally extending support member connected to the upper end of said two leg members, a box like structure disposed on said support member, generator support means mounted on said box structure and vertically movable with respect thereto, means for actuating said support table upwardly and downwardly, spaced legs extending vertically above said box structure, a crane member having a front and rear end pivotally connected to said vertically spaced legs for removing a generator from an enclosed space, and other means for actuating the front end of said crane member upwardly and downwardly about its point of pivotal connection.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said box structure is disposed below a central portion of said crane member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said generator support means and said crane member extend beyond said frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said crane member is detachably connected to said spaced legs so it can be removed therefrom when said support means is used.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a first threaded member carried by said support member, a second threaded member threadably engaging said first threaded member and in contact with said generator support table, and handle means for rotating said first threaded member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said other actuating means comprises an internally threaded bushing pivotal-1y connected to the rear end of said crane member, threaded rod means threadably engaging said bushing, journal means pivotally connected to said support member and said rod means having a portion thereof disposed in said journal, means for rotation with respect thereto.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said generator support means has a portion thereof extending beyond said frame and offset laterally therefrom.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said leg members are disposed to diverge outwardly from one another and from said frame for stability.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said box like structure consists of angle irons forming a trackway, and said generator support means comprises a table having complementary downwardly extending angle irons disposed continuous to said trackway.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,528,329 Bauer Oct. 31, 1950 2 ,581364 Cushman Jan. 8, 1952 2,742,257 Hott Apr. 17, 1956 2,851,182 Gehring Sept. 9, 1958 3,059,785 Buckeye Oct. 23, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 90,383 Australia Dec. 11, 1922 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING A GENERATOR AND THE LIKE FROM AN ENCLOSED SPACE COMPRISING A BOX LIKE FRAME, LEG MEMBERS EXTENDING BELOW SAID FRAME, ROLLER MEANS ON THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID LEG MEMBER, AT LEAST TWO LEG MEMBERS EXTENDING A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE ABOVE SAID FRAME, A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING SUPPORT MEMBER CONNECTED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID TWO LEG MEMBERS, A BOX LIKE STRUCTURE DISPOSED ON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, GENERATOR SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BOX STRUCTURE AND VERTICALLY MOVABLE WITH RESPECT THERETO, MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID SUPPORT TABLE UPWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY, SPACED LEGS EXTENDING VERTICALLY ABOVE SAID BOX STRUCTURE, A CRANE MEMBER HAVING A FRONT AND REAR END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID VERTICALLY SPACED LEGS FOR REMOVING A GENERATOR FROM AN ENCLOSED SPACE, AND OTHER MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE FRONT END OF SAID CRANE MEMBER UPWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY ABOUT ITS POINT OF PIVOTAL CONNECTION. 